Celeron 2980U vs Celeron 3215U

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Celeron 2980U vs Celeron 3215U FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Celeron 2980U vs Celeron 3215U: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Celeron 2980U

2013

Why buy it

✅+4.4% higher Geekbench single-core performance for gaming and desktop responsiveness.

Trade-offs

❌Fewer obvious downsides in this matchup outside of normal market pricing swings.

Celeron 3215U

2015

Why buy it

Trade-offs

❌Lower Geekbench single-core performance for gaming (339 vs 354).
❌Lower PassMark (1,091 vs 1,092).

Quick Answers

So, is Celeron 2980U better than Celeron 3215U?

Yes. Celeron 2980U is the better all-around CPU here. It gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data and 0.1% better PassMark, which is enough to make it the stronger overall pick.

Which one is better for gaming?

If gaming is the priority, Celeron 2980U is the better pick. According to our tests, it delivers 0.1% more average FPS across 50 shared CPU game tests.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Celeron 2980U is the stronger fit. You are getting 0.1% better PassMark, backed by 2 cores and 2 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Celeron 2980U still makes the most sense overall. Celeron 2980U comes in at an unclear MSRP at unclear MSRP versus unclear MSRP, and it still gives you a 0.1% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Celeron 3215U makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting a newer CPU generation (2015 vs 2013). That makes it the safer long-term bet.

Celeron 2980U vs Celeron 3215U Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Celeron 2980U

The Celeron 2980U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 2007-01-01. It is based on the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.6 GHz, with boost up to 1.6 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 22 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,092 points. Launch price was $69.

Celeron 3215U

The Celeron 3215U is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 June 2015 (10 years ago). It is based on the Broadwell (2015−2019) architecture. It features 2 cores and 2 threads. Base frequency is 1.7 GHz, with boost up to 1.7 GHz. L3 cache: 2 MB. L2 cache: 512 kB. Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: FCBGA1168. Thermal design power (TDP): 15 Watt. Memory support: DDR3. Passmark benchmark score: 1,091 points. Launch price was $107.

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Processing Power

Both the Celeron 2980U and Celeron 3215U share an identical 2-core/2-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 1.6 GHz on the Celeron 2980U versus 1.7 GHz on the Celeron 3215U — a 6.1% clock advantage for the Celeron 3215U (base: 1.6 GHz vs 1.7 GHz). The Celeron 2980U uses the Haswell (2013−2015) architecture (22 nm), while the Celeron 3215U uses Broadwell (2015−2019) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Celeron 2980U scores 1,092 against the Celeron 3215U's 1,091 — a 0.1% lead for the Celeron 2980U. Geekbench 6 single-core — the metric most relevant to gaming — records 354 vs 339, a 4.3% lead for the Celeron 2980U that directly translates to higher frame rates. L3 cache: 2 MB (total) on the Celeron 2980U vs 2 MB on the Celeron 3215U.

Feature	Celeron 2980U	Celeron 3215U
Cores / Threads	2 / 2	2 / 2
Boost Clock	1.6 GHz	1.7 GHz+6%
Base Clock	1.6 GHz	1.7 GHz+6%
L3 Cache	2 MB (total)	2 MB
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	512 kB+100%
Process	22 nm	14 nm-36%
Architecture	Haswell (2013−2015)	Broadwell (2015−2019)
PassMark	1,092	1,091
Geekbench 6 Single	354+4%	339
Geekbench 6 Multi	694	—

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Memory & Platform

Both processors use the FCBGA1168 socket with PCIe 3.0. Both support up to DDR3L-1600 memory speed. Both support up to 16 GB of RAM. Both feature 2-channel memory with ECC support. Both provide 12 PCIe lanes. Chipset compatibility: Haswell-ULT (Celeron 2980U) and Wildcat Point-LP (Celeron 3215U).

Feature	Celeron 2980U	Celeron 3215U
Socket	FCBGA1168	FCBGA1168
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 3.0
Max RAM Speed	DDR3L-1600	DDR3L-1600
Max RAM Capacity	16 GB	16 GB
RAM Channels	2	2
ECC Support	No	No
PCIe Lanes	12	12

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Advanced Features

Neither processor supports overclocking. Virtualization support: VT-x (Celeron 2980U) vs VT-x, VT-d (Celeron 3215U). Both include integrated graphics — Intel HD Graphics (Haswell) (Celeron 2980U) and HD Graphics (Broadwell) (Celeron 3215U) — useful as a fallback for troubleshooting or display output without a dedicated GPU. Primary use case: Celeron 2980U targets Low Power, Celeron 3215U targets Budget. Direct competitor: Celeron 2980U rivals AMD A4-5000; Celeron 3215U rivals Pentium 3825U.

Feature	Celeron 2980U	Celeron 3215U
Integrated GPU	Yes	Yes
IGPU Model	Intel HD Graphics (Haswell)	HD Graphics (Broadwell)
Unlocked	No	No
AVX-512	No	No
Virtualization	VT-x	VT-x, VT-d
Target Use	Low Power	Budget